Grange Fair and 4-H Fair this weekend in Middleboro

Wednesday

Aug 20, 2014 at 6:00 AM

This year the Grange Fair is dedicated in memory of Adrian Poponessett Haynes, who served as president of Nemasket Grange years. The 4-H Fair is dedicated to the late David Blanchard, a pillar of the east Middleboro farming community who died last September.

Alice ElwellEnterprise Correspondent

MIDDLEBORO – Folks can indulge on a feast of rural America this weekend and next during Middleboro’s signature agricultural events: the 57th annual Grange Fair and the 65th annual East Middleboro 4-H Fair.

For those planning to attend the Grange Fair, there’s still time for to enter vegetables, fruit, flowers, photography, baked goods, canned goods, eggs or needlework for the competition on Saturday. Exhibits will be received on Friday 5-6 p.m. and Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon.

The Grange Fair opens at 1:30 p.m., and, in addition to the exhibits, will feature a baked goods table, traveling bazaar and a baked chicken dinner at 6 p.m. At 7 p.m. baked goods, flowers, vegetables and other exhibits will be auctioned.

This year the Grange Fair is dedicated in memory of Adrian Poponessett Haynes, who served as president of Nemasket Grange for several years. Haynes, known for the Indian feather he wore in his hat and his flowing ponytail, was a World War II Navy seaman. He was an American patriot and proud Native American who died at 88 in May.

Next weekend the 4-H Fair runs Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Breakfast will be served both days and on Sunday the fair will open with a Blessing of the Animals service. The fair’s premiere event – the auction – will be held Saturday, 3-6:30 p.m.

Exhibits include small and large animals, quilts, crafts, foods, photography, woodworking and gardening. Fairgoers can enter the cribbage tournament on Saturday at 9 a.m. the Horseshoe tournament on Sunday at 9 a.m. or children’s and animal costume contest at 3 p.m.

This year’s 4-H Fair is dedicated to the late David Blanchard, a pillar of the east Middleboro farming community who died last September. His parents, Fred and Hazel, were the founders of the east Middleboro 4-H Club. His legacy as a dairy farmer continues at Lolans Farm, now run by his daughter Susan and her husband Sam Shields.